Notice2024-28767
Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Rural Business Development Grant Program To Provide Technical Assistance for Rural Transportation Systems for Fiscal Year 2025
Primary source
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Published
January 6, 2025
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentRural Business-Cooperative Service
Abstract
The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS or Agency), a Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is issuing this notice to invite applications for grants to provide technical assistance for passenger Rural Transportation (RT) systems under the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) program and the terms for such funding. Grant funds will provide technical assistance for RT systems including designated funds to provide technical assistance to RT systems operating within Tribal lands of Federally Recognized Native American Tribes (FRNAT) (collectively "Programs"). This notice is being issued in order to allow applicants sufficient time to leverage financing, prepare and submit their applications, and give the Agency time to process applications within fiscal year (FY) 2025. Based on FY 2024 appropriated funding, the Agency estimates that approximately $750,000 will be made available for FY 2025. Successful applications will be selected by the Agency for funding and subsequently awarded to the extent that funding may ultimately be made available through appropriations. All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in developing their applications.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 3 (Monday, January 6, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 3 (Monday, January 6, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 584-589]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-28767]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
[DOCKET #: RBS-X24BUSINESS-0016]
Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Rural Business Development
Grant Program To Provide Technical Assistance for Rural Transportation
Systems for Fiscal Year 2025
AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS or Agency), a
Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA), is issuing this notice to invite applications for
grants to provide technical assistance for passenger Rural
Transportation (RT) systems under the Rural Business Development Grant
(RBDG) program and the terms for such funding. Grant funds will provide
technical assistance for RT systems including designated funds to
provide technical assistance to RT systems operating within Tribal
lands of Federally Recognized Native American Tribes (FRNAT)
(collectively ``Programs''). This notice is being issued in order to
allow applicants sufficient time to leverage financing, prepare and
submit their applications, and give the Agency time to process
applications within fiscal year (FY) 2025. Based on FY 2024
appropriated funding, the Agency estimates that approximately $750,000
will be made available for FY 2025. Successful applications will be
selected by the Agency for funding and subsequently awarded to the
extent that funding may ultimately be made available through
appropriations. All applicants are responsible for any expenses
incurred in developing their applications.
DATES: Completed applications may be submitted in paper or electronic
format and must be received in the USDA RD State Office no later than
4:30 p.m. (local time) on April 7, 2025, to be eligible for FY 2025
grant funding. Applications received after the deadline will be
ineligible for funding.
ADDRESSES: This funding announcement will also be announced on
<a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>. Applications must be submitted to the USDA RD State Office
where the Project is located. A list of the USDA RD State Office
contacts can be found at: <a href="http://rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices">rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cindy Mason at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f5969c9b918cdb9894869a9bb580869194db929a83"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="85e6ecebe1fcabe8e4f6eaebc5f0f6e1e4abe2eaf3">[email protected]</span></a>,
Business Loan and Grant Analyst, Program Management Division, RBCS,
USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mail Stop 3226, Room 5160-South,
Washington, DC 20250-3226, or call 202-720-1400.
For further information on submitting program applications under
this notice, please contact the USDA RD office for the State in which
the applicant is located. A list of USDA RD Office contacts is provided
at the following link: <a href="http://rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices">rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices</a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[[Page 585]]
Overview
Federal Awarding Agency Name: Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
Funding Opportunity Title: Rural Business Development Grants--
Technical Assistance for Rural Transportation Systems.
Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity.
Funding Opportunity Number: RDBCP-RBDG-2025.
Assistance Listing: 10.351.
Dates: The deadline for completed applications to be received in
the USDA RD State Office is no later than 4:30 p.m. (local time) on
April 7, 2025, to be eligible for FY 2025 grant funding. Applications
received after the deadline will be ineligible for funding.
Rural Development Key Priorities: The Agency encourages applicants
to consider projects that will advance the following key priorities
(more details available at <a href="http://rd.usda.gov/priority-points">rd.usda.gov/priority-points</a>):
<bullet> Creating More and Better Markets: Assist rural communities
to recover economically through more and better market opportunities
and through improved infrastructure;
<bullet> Addressing Climate Change and Environmental Justice:
Reduce climate pollution and increase resilience to the impacts of
climate change through economic support for rural communities; and
<bullet> Advancing Racial Justice, Place-Based Equity, and
Opportunity: Ensure all rural residents have equitable access to RD
programs and benefits from RD funded projects.
A. Program Description
1. Purpose of the Program. The purpose of this program is to
improve the economic conditions of rural areas by providing technical
assistance that will enhance the operation of rural transportation
systems.
2. Statutory Authority. This program is authorized under section
310B(c) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C.
1932(c)) and implemented by 7 CFR part 4280, subpart E. The program is
administered on behalf of RBCS by the USDA RD State Offices. Assistance
provided to rural areas under the program has historically included the
provision of on-site technical assistance to Tribal, local and regional
governments, public transit agencies, and related nonprofit and for-
profit organizations in rural areas; the development of training
materials; and the provision of necessary training assistance to local
officials and agencies in rural areas.
Section 736 of title VII of division B of the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2024, designated funding for projects in Persistent
Poverty counties. Persistent Poverty counties is defined in section 736
as ``any county that has had 20 percent or more of its population
living in poverty over the past 30 years, as measured by the 1990 and
2000 decennial censuses, and 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-year
average, or any territory or possession of the United States''. Section
736 expanded the eligible population in Persistent Poverty counties to
include any county seat of such a persistent poverty county that had a
population that does not exceed the authorized population limit by more
than 10 percent, expanding the current 50,000 population limit to
55,000 for only county seats located in Persistent Poverty counties.
Therefore, beneficiaries of technical assistance services located in
Persistent Poverty County seats with populations up to 55,000 are
eligible. Therefore, assuming the Appropriations Act for 2025 has
similar language, applicants and/or beneficiaries located in persistent
poverty county seats with populations up to 55,000 (per the 2020
Census) are eligible.
3. Definitions. The definitions applicable to this notice are
published at 7 CFR 4280.403.
4. Application of Awards. The Agency will review, evaluate, and
score applications received in response to this notice based on the
provisions in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart E, and as indicated in this
notice. Awards under the RBDG Technical Assistance for RT Systems
program will be made on a competitive basis using specific selection
criteria contained in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart E, and in accordance
with section 310B(c) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
(7 U.S.C. 1932(c)). The Agency advises all interested parties that the
applicant bears the burden in preparing and submitting an application
in response to this notice whether or not funding is appropriated for
this program in FY 2025.
B. Federal Award Information
Type of Award: Grants.
Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2025.
Available Funds: $750,000. RBCS may at its discretion, increase the
total level of funding available in this funding round, or in any
category in this funding round, from any available source provided the
awards meet the requirements of the statute which made the funding
available to the Agency.
Award Amounts: The Agency will award a maximum of $500,000 for RT
systems and $250,000 for FRNAT RT projects. The amounts are determined
by the specific funding provided for the program in the FY 2025
Appropriations Act.
Anticipated Award Date: Prior to September 30, 2025.
Performance Period: October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026.
Renewal or Supplemental Awards: None.
Type of Assistance Instrument: Financial Assistance Agreement.
C. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants. Eligible applicants must meet the
eligibility requirements of 7 CFR 4280.416, Applicant Eligibility. The
Agency requires the information provided in 7 CFR 4280.427 to make an
eligibility determination that an applicant is a national organization.
For the funding for Technical Assistance for RT systems, applicants
must be qualified national organizations with experience in providing
technical assistance and training to rural communities nationwide for
the purpose of improving passenger transportation services or
facilities. To be considered ``national,'' RBCS requires a qualified
organization to provide evidence that it can operate RT assistance
programming nationwide. An entity can qualify if they can work in
partnership with other entities to fulfill the national requirement as
long as the applicant will have ultimate control of the grant
administration. For the funding for RT systems to FRNATs, an entity can
qualify if it can work in partnership with other entities to support
all federally recognized Tribes, as long as the applicant will have
ultimate control of the grant administration. There is not a
requirement to use the grant funds in a multi-State area. Grants will
be made to qualified national organizations for the provision of
technical assistance and training to rural communities for the purpose
of improving passenger transportation services or facilities.
For the FRNAT grant, which must benefit FRNATs, at least 75 percent
of the benefits of the Project must be received by members of FRNATs.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching. There are no cost sharing or matching
requirements associated with this grant.
3. Other. Applications will only be accepted from qualified
national organizations to provide Technical Assistance for RT.
Applicants proposing projects with Tribes must submit documentation in
support of the application from the Tribes they propose to serve. This
support is best documented through a resolution from
[[Page 586]]
the appropriate Tribal council/government. Alternative documentation of
support may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
D. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to Request Application Package. Entities wishing to
apply for assistance should contact the USDA RD State Office provided
in the ADDRESSES section of this notice to obtain copies of the
application package.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission. An application must
contain all of the required elements listed in 7 CFR 4280.427 and the
following:
(a) Environmental documentation in accordance with 7 CFR part 1970,
``Environmental Policies and Procedures;''
(b) SF LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities;''
(c) RD 400-1, ``Equal Opportunity Agreement;''
(d) RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement;'' and
(e) Letter providing Board authorization to obtain assistance.
Each application received in a USDA RD State Office will be
reviewed to determine if it is consistent with the eligible purposes
contained in section 310B(c) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(c)). Each selection scoring criterion
outlined in 7 CFR 4280.435 must be addressed in the application.
Failure to address any of the criteria will result in a zero-point
score for that criterion and will impact the overall evaluation of the
application. The regulation governing this program, 7 CFR part 4280,
subpart E, is available at <a href="http://ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-XLII/part-4280/subpart-E">ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-XLII/part-4280/subpart-E</a>, or will be provided to any interested
applicant making a request to a USDA RD State Office.
All projects to receive technical assistance through these
passenger transportation grant funds are to be identified when the
applications are submitted to the USDA RD State Office. Multiple
project applications must identify each individual project, indicate
the amount of funding requested for each individual project, and
address the criteria as stated above for each individual project.
3. System for Award Management and Unique Entity Identifier.
(a) At the time of application, each applicant must have an active
registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) before submitting
its application in accordance with 2 CFR part 25 (<a href="http://ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25">ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25</a>). To register in SAM, entities
will be required to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).
Instructions for obtaining the UEI are available at <a href="https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration">https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration</a>.
(b) Applicant must maintain an active SAM registration, with
current, accurate, and complete information, while it has an active
Federal award or an application under consideration by a Federal
awarding agency.
(c) Applicants must ensure they complete the Financial Assistance
General Certifications and Representations in SAM.
(d) Applicants must provide a valid UEI in its application, unless
determined exempt under 2 CFR 25.110 (<a href="http://ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-A/section-25.110">ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-A/section-25.110</a>).
(e) The Agency will not make an award until the applicant has
complied with all SAM requirements including providing the UEI. If an
applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the
Agency is ready to make an award, the Agency may determine that the
applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that
determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another
applicant.
4. Submission Dates and Times.
(a) Application Technical Assistance Deadline Date. Prior to
official submission of grant applications, applicants may request
technical assistance or other application guidance from the Agency. All
requests for technical assistance or application guidance must be made
prior to February 5, 2025. Technical assistance is not meant to be an
analysis or assessment of the quality of the materials submitted, a
substitute for Agency review of completed applications, or a
determination of eligibility, if such determination requires in-depth
analysis.
(b) Application Deadline Date. Applications (paper or electronic
format) must be submitted to the appropriate RD State Office no later
than 4:30 p.m. (local time) on April 7, 2025. If completed applications
are not received by the deadline date, the application will neither be
reviewed nor considered for funding under any circumstances.
The Agency will not solicit or consider scoring or eligibility
information that is submitted after the application deadline. The
Agency reserves the right to contact applicants to seek clarification
information on materials contained in the submitted application.
The deadline date means that the completed application package must
be received in the USDA RD State Office by the deadline date
established above. If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or
Federal holiday, the application is due the next business day. All
application documents identified in this notice and in 7 CFR part 4280,
subpart E, are required to be considered a complete application.
(c) Applications Received After Deadline Date. If a complete
application is not received by the deadline established above, the
application will neither be reviewed nor considered under any
circumstances. The Agency will not solicit or consider scoring or
eligibility information that is submitted after the application
deadline. The Agency reserves the right to contact applicants to seek
clarification information on materials contained in the submitted
application.
5. Intergovernmental Review. Executive Order (E.O.) 12372,
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' applies to this
program. This E.O. requires that Federal agencies provide opportunities
for consultation on proposed assistance with State and local
governments. Many States have established a Single Point of Contact
(SPOC) to facilitate this consultation. For a list of States that
maintain a SPOC, please see the White House website: <a href="http://whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/">whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/</a>. If your State has
a SPOC, you may submit a copy of the application directly for review.
Any comments obtained through the SPOC must be provided to your State
Office for consideration as part of your application. If your State has
not established a SPOC, or if you do not want to submit a copy of the
application, our State Offices will submit your application to the SPOC
or other appropriate agency or agencies.
6. Funding Restrictions. These grants are for RT Technical
Assistance grants only and no construction or equipment purchases are
permitted. If the grantee has a previously approved indirect cost rate,
it is permissible, otherwise, the applicant may elect to charge the 15
percent indirect cost permitted under 2 CFR 200.414(f) or request a
determination of its Indirect Cost Rate. Due to the time required to
evaluate Indirect Cost Rates, it is likely that all funds will be
awarded by the time the Indirect Cost Rate is determined. No foreign
travel is permitted. Pre-Federal award costs will only be permitted
with prior written approval by the Agency.
None of the funds made available may be used to enter into a
contract, memorandum of understanding, or
[[Page 587]]
cooperative agreement with, make a grant to, or provide a loan or loan
guarantee to:
(a) Any corporation that has any unpaid Federal tax liability that
has been assessed, for which all judicial and administrative remedies
have been exhausted or have lapsed, and that is not being paid in a
timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the authority responsible
for collecting the tax liability.
(b) Any corporation that was convicted of a felony criminal
violation under any Federal law within the preceding 24 months where
the awarding agency is aware of the unpaid tax liability and/or
conviction, unless a Federal agency has considered suspension or
debarment of the corporation and has determined that further action is
not necessary to protect the interests of the Government.
7. Other Submission Requirements.
General Submission Requirements. The organization submitting the
application will be considered the lead entity. The program manager
must be associated with the lead entity submitting the application.
Applications will not be considered for funding if they do not provide
sufficient information to determine eligibility or are missing required
elements.
There is no limit on the number of applications an applicant may
submit under this announcement. There are no specific formats, specific
limitations on number of pages, font size and type face, margins, paper
size, number of copies, sequence, or assembly requirements. The
component pieces of this application should contain original signatures
on the original application.
Electronic Submittals. Applicants submitting an electronic
application, should contact the State Office serving the State where
the Project will primarily take place. A list of State Offices may be
found at <a href="http://rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices">rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices</a>.
Paper Submittals. Applicants submitting a paper application should
send it to the USDA RD State Office located in the State where the
Project will primarily take place. You can find State Office contact
information at: <a href="http://rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices">rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices</a>.
All forms requiring signatures must include an original signature.
If the applicant wishes to hand deliver its application, the addresses
for these deliveries are in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.
E. Application Review Information
1. Criteria. All eligible and complete applications will be
evaluated and scored based on the scoring criteria contained in 7 CFR
4280.435. The Agency will select grantees subject to the grantees'
satisfactory submission of the items required by 7 CFR 4280.427, and
the USDA RD Letter of Conditions. Failure to address any criteria in 7
CFR 4280.427 by the application deadline will result in the application
being determined ineligible, and the application will not be considered
for funding. The amount of an RT grant may be adjusted, at the Agency's
discretion, to enable the Agency to award RT grants to the applications
with the highest priority scores in each category.
2. Review and Selection Process. USDA RD State Offices will review
applications to determine if they are eligible for assistance based on
the application and project eligibility requirements contained in 7 CFR
4280.416 and 4280.417, respectively, and as stated in this notice. If
determined eligible, the applicable State Office will submit your
application to the National Office. Funding of the projects is subject
to the applicant's satisfactory submission of the additional items
required by subpart E and the USDA RD Letter of Conditions. The Agency
reserves the right to offer the applicant a grant award in an amount
less than the amount the applicant requested.
The Agency reserves the right to award additional discretionary
points under 7 CFR 4280.435(k). Discretionary points may only be
assigned to initial grants. Assignment of discretionary points must
include a written justification. Permissible justifications include
projects that meet special Secretary of Agriculture initiatives such as
projects:
(a) Assisting rural communities recover economically through more
and better market opportunities and through improved infrastructure.
Applicants receive priority points if the project is located in or
serving a rural community whose economic well-being ranks in the most
distressed tier (distress score of 80 or higher) of the Distressed
Communities Index using the Distressed Communities Look-Up Map
available at <a href="http://rd.usda.gov/priority-points">rd.usda.gov/priority-points</a>.
(b) Ensuring all rural residents have equitable access to RD
programs and benefits from RD funded projects. Using the Social
Vulnerability Index (SVI) Look-Up Map (available at <a href="http://rd.usda.gov/priority-points">rd.usda.gov/priority-points</a>), an applicant would receive priority points if the:
<bullet> The Project is located in or serving a community with
score 0.75 or above on the SVI;
<bullet> The applicant is a federally recognized Tribe, including
Tribal instrumentalities and entities that are wholly owned by Tribes;
or
<bullet> Is a project where at least 50 percent of the project
beneficiaries are members of federally recognized Tribes and non-Tribal
applicants include a Tribal Resolution of Consent from the Tribe or
Tribes that the applicant is proposing to serve.
<bullet> The application is from or benefiting a Rural Partner's
Network's (RPN) community network. Currently RPN Networks exist in
Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico,
North Carolina, Puerto Rico, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Use the
Community Look-Up map (available at <a href="http://rd.usda.gov/priority-points">rd.usda.gov/priority-points</a>) to
determine if your project qualifies for priority points.
(c) Reducing climate pollution and increasing resilience to the
impacts of climate change through economic support to rural
communities. Using the Disadvantaged Community and Energy Community
Look-up Map (available at <a href="http://rd.usda.gov/priority-points">rd.usda.gov/priority-points</a>), applicants will
receive priority points in three ways:
<bullet> If a project is located in or serves a Disadvantaged
Community as defined by the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool
(CEJST), from the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ),
<bullet> If the project is located in or serves an Energy Community
as defined by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (Pub. L. 117-169,
``IRA''), and
<bullet> If applicants can demonstrate through a written narrative
how the proposed climate-impact projects will improve the livelihoods
of community residents and meet pollution mitigation or clean energy
goals.
F. Federal Award Administration Information
1. Federal Award Notices. Successful applicants will receive
notification for funding from their USDA RD State Office. Applicants
must comply with all applicable statutes and regulations before the
grant award will be approved. Unsuccessful applications will receive
notification by mail.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements.
(a) Additional Requirements.
(1) All successful applicants will be notified by letter, which
will include a Letter of Conditions, and a Letter of Intent to Meet
Conditions. This letter is not an authorization to begin performance.
If the applicant wishes to consider beginning performance prior to the
grant being officially closed, all pre-award costs must be approved in
writing and in advance by the Agency.
[[Page 588]]
The grant will be considered officially awarded when all conditions in
the Letter of Conditions have been met and the Agency obligates the
funding for the Project.
(2) Additional requirements that apply to grantees selected for
this program can be found in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart E; the Grants and
Agreements regulations applicable to USDA in 2 CFR part 400, which
incorporates the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 2
CFR part 200, and successor regulations. In addition, all recipients of
Federal financial assistance are required to report information about
first tier subawards and executive compensation (see 2 CFR part 170).
You will be required to have the necessary processes and systems in
place to comply with the Federal Funding Accountability and
Transparency Act of 2006 (Pub. L. 109-282) reporting requirements (see
2 CFR 170.200(b), unless you are exempt under 2 CFR 170.105).
(3) Program participants will be required to collect and maintain
data provided by recipients on race, sex, and national origin and
ensure recipients collect and maintain this data. Race and ethnicity
data will be collected in accordance with OMB Federal Register notice,
``Revisions to the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on
Race and Ethnicity,'' (62 FR 58782), October 30, 1997. Data on
recipients' sex will be collected in accordance with title IX of the
Education Amendments Act of 1972. These items should not be submitted
with the application but should be available upon request by the
Agency.
(4) The following additional requirements apply to grantees
selected for this program:
(i) Form RD 4280-2 ``Rural Business-Cooperative Service Financial
Assistance Agreement.''
(ii) Letter of Conditions.
(iii) Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds.''
(iv) Form RD 1942-46, ``Letter of Intent to Meet Conditions.''
(v) SF LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' if applicable.
(vi) Form SF 270, ``Request for Advance or Reimbursement.''
(b) Geospatial Information. Awardee, and any and all contracts
entered into by the Awardee with respect to the Award, shall ensure
that geospatial data required to be collected and provided to the
agency, conforms with the requirements of USDA Department Regulation
DR-3465-001 and the Geospatial Metadata Standards set forth in DM 3465-
001, which can be obtained online at <a href="http://www.usda.gov/directives/dr-3465-001">www.usda.gov/directives/dr-3465-001</a> and <a href="http://www.usda.gov/directives/dm-3465-001">www.usda.gov/directives/dm-3465-001</a>.
3. Reporting. A Financial Status Report and a Project Performance
Activity Report will be required of all grantees on a quarterly basis
until initial funds are expended and yearly thereafter, if applicable,
based on the Federal fiscal year. The grantee will complete the Project
within the total time available to it in accordance with the Scope of
Work and any necessary modifications thereof prepared by the grantee
and approved by the Agency. A final Project Performance Report will be
required with the final Financial Status Report. The final report may
serve as the last quarterly report. The final report must provide
complete information regarding the jobs created and supported as a
result of the grant if applicable. Grantees must continuously monitor
performance to ensure that time schedules are being met, projected work
by time periods is being accomplished, and other performance objectives
are being achieved. Grantees must submit an original of each report to
the Agency no later than 30 days after the end of the quarter. The
Project Performance Reports must include, but not be limited to, the
following:
(a) A comparison of actual accomplishments to the objectives
established for that period;
(b) Problems, delays, or adverse conditions, if any, which have
affected or will affect attainment of overall Project objectives,
prevent meeting time schedules or objectives, or preclude the
attainment of Project work elements during established time periods.
This disclosure shall be accompanied by a statement of the action taken
or planned to resolve the situation;
(c) Objectives and timetable established for the next reporting
period;
(d) Any special reporting requirements, such as jobs supported and
created, businesses assisted, or Economic Development which results in
improvements in median household incomes, and any other specific
requirements, should be placed in the reporting section in the Letter
of Conditions; and
(e) Within 120 days after the conclusion of the Project, the
grantee will provide a final Project Evaluation Report. The last
quarterly payment will be withheld until the final report is received
and approved by the Agency. Even though the grantee may request
reimbursement monthly, the last three months of reimbursements will be
withheld until a final Project, Project Performance, and Financial
Status Report are received and approved by the Agency.
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)
For general questions about this announcement, please contact your
USDA RD State Office provided in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.
H. Other Information
1. Paperwork Reduction Act. In accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35), the information
collection requirements associated with this program, as covered in
this notice, have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) under OMB Control Number 0570-0070.
2. National Environmental Policy Act. All recipients under this
notice are subject to the requirements of 7 CFR part 1970. However,
awards for technical assistance and training under this notice are
classified as a Categorical Exclusion in accordance with 7 CFR
1970.53(b), and usually do not require any additional documentation.
RBCS will review each grant application to determine its compliance
with 7 CFR part 1970. The applicant may be asked to provide additional
information or documentation to assist RBCS with this determination.
3. Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act. All
applicants, in accordance with 2 CFR part 25, must be registered in SAM
and have a UEI number as stated in section D.3 of this notice. All
recipients of Federal financial assistance are required to report
information about first tier subawards and executive total compensation
in accordance with 2 CFR part 170.
4. Civil Rights Act. All grants made under this notice are subject
to title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as required by the USDA (7
CFR part 15, subpart A--Nondiscrimination in Federally-Assisted
Programs of the Department of Agriculture--Effectuation of Title VI of
the Civil Rights Act of 1964), section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973, title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, title IX, Executive
Order 13166 (Limited English Proficiency), Executive Order 11246, and
the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974.
5. Equal Opportunity for Religious Organizations.
(a) Faith-based organizations may apply for this award on the same
basis as any other organization, as set forth at, and subject to the
protections and requirements of, this part and any applicable
constitutional and statutory requirements, including 42 U.S.C. 2000bb
et seq. USDA will not, in the
[[Page 589]]
selection of recipients, discriminate for or against an organization on
the basis of the organization's religious character, motives, or
affiliation, or lack thereof, or on the basis of conduct that would not
be considered grounds to favor or disfavor a similarly situated secular
organization.
(b) A faith-based organization that participates in this program
will retain its independence from the Government and may continue to
carry out its mission consistent with religious freedom and conscience
protections in Federal law. Religious accommodations may also be sought
under many of these religious freedom and conscience protection laws.
(c) A faith-based organization may not use direct Federal financial
assistance from USDA to support or engage in any explicitly religious
activities except when consistent with the Establishment Clause of the
First Amendment and any other applicable requirements. An organization
receiving Federal financial assistance also may not, in providing
services funded by USDA, or in their outreach activities related to
such services, discriminate against a program beneficiary or
prospective program beneficiary on the basis of religion, a religious
belief, a refusal to hold a religious belief, or a refusal to attend or
participate in a religious practice.
6. Nondiscrimination Statement. In accordance with Federal civil
rights laws and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA,
its Mission Areas, agencies, staff offices, employees, and institutions
participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from
discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex,
gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation,
disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived
from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or
retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity
conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs).
Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Program information may be made available in languages other than
English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of
communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large
print, audiotape, American Sign Language) should contact the
responsible Mission Area, agency, or staff office; or the 711 Relay
Service.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a complainant should
complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form,
which can be obtained online at <a href="http://usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf">usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf</a>, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by
writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the
complainant's name, address, telephone number, and a written
description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail
to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the
nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-
3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
(1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC
20250-9410; or
(2) Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
(3) Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9fefedf0f8edfef2b1f6f1ebfef4fadfeaecfbfeb1f8f0e9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="deaeacb1b9acbfb3f0b7b0aabfb5bb9eabadbabff0b9b1a8">[email protected]</span></a>.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Kathryn E. Dirksen Londrigan,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA Rural
Development.
[FR Doc. 2024-28767 Filed 1-3-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P
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This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.